The Ministry of Communications and the National Communications Authority (NCA), have offered reprieve for FM Broadcasting Stations which were sanctioned for committing various infractions.
The Ministry has slashed the fines for the sanctioned commercial FM Broadcasting stations by 50 percent.
The stations have thus been given additional 30 days to pay the slashed fines.
“Defaulting Commercial FM Broadcasting Stations that were fined by the NCA have also had their fines reduced by 50%. They have 30 days from 20th October, 2017, to pay the 50% reduced penalties or have their authorizations revoked,” a statement from the Ministry of Communications said.
“It is the expectation of the Ministry and the Authority that all defaulting FM stations will take advantage of this opportunity and ensure compliance within the shortest possible time,” it added.
For the 34 sanctioned stations that had their licenses revoked because their authorizations had expired, they have been given 10 days to petition the Minister of Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful.
Below is the full statement:
MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFERS REPRIEVE TO SANCTIONED FM STATIONS
Following the presentation of the Honourable Minister for Communications on the floor of Parliament on, October 19, 2017, the Ministry of Communications (MOC) in consultation with the National Communications Authority (NCA), has offered the following reprieve for FM Broadcasting Stations which were sanctioned for committing various infractions.
Community and Institutional FM Broadcasting Stations
The pecuniary penalties which were imposed on the FM Broadcasting Stations in this category have been waived.
In addition to this, these stations are to regularise their operations; pay their outstanding indebtedness (Annual Regulatory and Spectrum fees) and submit renewal applications and all outstanding documentation as applicable within thirty (30) days from the date of this release, Friday, 20th October 2017. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of their authorisations.
FM Broadcasting Stations which had their Authorisations Revoked
The stations in this category have the option to petition the Honourable Minister for Communications for a review of the revocation of their Authorisation within 10 days from Friday, 20th October 2017. After receipt of their petitions, they will be reviewed on a case by case basis, following which the Minister will determine the applicable sanctions.
Commercial FM Broadcasting Stations
Defaulting Commercial FM Broadcasting Stations that were fined by the NCA have also had their fines reduced by 50%. They have 30 days from October 20, 2017, to pay the 50% reduced penalties or have their authorisations revoked.
It is the expectation of the Ministry and the Authority that all defaulting FM stations will take advantage of this opportunity and ensure compliance within the shortest possible time.
Issued by the Ministry of Communications
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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if the NCA was going to show mercy, why then come with that noise. this is sad. did the NCA then show same to Oman FM back in the day. Oman FM survive all that. even if you were going to show 90% mercy, then there was no need coming out with such noise. they could have dealt with them in the quiet.
AGYEMANG & ADU WHY THE SKIN PAIN?. IT SHOWS THAT YOU WANTED NDC DOMINATED STATIONS TO DIE. THIS WHOLE ISSUE IS POLITICAL FROM THE WAY YOU ARE TALKING BUT NOTE CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT WILL NOT HAPPEN AT THE BACK OF RADIO STATIONS CRITICS BUT PEOPLE LIFE STYLES AND NOTE THIS THE MEASURE YOU USE THE MEASURE WILL BE USED AGAINST. EXISTENCE OF RADIO STATIONS HELP GOVERNMENT TO PREDETERMINE PEOPLE VIEWS FOR ACTION. PREPARE YOURSELF FOR MORE HEATS AND PRESSURE. THANK YOU.
I AM IN TOTAL DISAGREEMENT. WHY BEND THE RULE THESE PERSONS HAD DELIBERATELY RENEGED. I AM EQUALLY PEEVED ESPECIALLY WITH A DIRECTOR OF RADIO GOLD WHO CRIMINALIZED CITIZENS KNOWN TO BE RICH DURING THE REVOLUTION ONLY FOR HIM TO I AM IGNORE, REFUSE AND ARROGANTLY DELIBERATELY TURN A BLIND EYE TO A BASIC REQUIREMENT OF LAW. I AM REFERING TO ATO AHWOI. PEOPLE LIKE HIM SHOULD NOT BE PITIED AT ALL BECAUSE THEY HAVE BECOME RICH BY NOT PAYING THEIR DUE FOR OPERATING A SPECTRUM LEASED TO HIM AND CAUSED HIS STAFF TO INSULT AND MALIGN INNOCENT GHANAIANS. AS FOR THE RADIO GOLD GROUP DONT SPARE THEM.
This was a grave mistake, these same people and their cohorts will come and tell you, you needed parliamentary approval to vary the fines and that it is illegal. Stop meddling in the affairs of state institutions and allow them to run on their own. This decision will come and bite you madam minister.
Tomorrow the NDC and their cohort, Kwesi Pratt will still come out to say the reprieve didn't go far enough. Just wait and see. As for Kwesi Pratt I don't have words to describe him. Let him continue with his lala sulala hopping from radio station to radio station as his Insight news paper dies out of existence. His financier Mahama is gone for good.